Sachin Pilgaonkar's MIL couldn't recognise him in saree on 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' set
Synopsis
Sachin Pilgaonkar's cross-dressing act in the 1988 Marathi classic 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' was so convincing that his own mother-in-law mistook him for a woman on set — a story he shared on 'Kon Honar Crorepati' hosted by Madhuri Dixit. Nearly four decades on, the film's iconic saree look still has the power to surprise.
Key Takeaways
Sachin Pilgaonkar appeared on 'Kon Honar Crorepati' , hosted by Madhuri Dixit , alongside actor Madhurani Gokhale .
He recalled how his mother-in-law failed to recognise him while he was dressed in a saree on the set of 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' . 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' was released in 1988 , directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar and produced by Kiran Shantaram .
The film features two friends cross-dressing as women to meet a landlady's condition of renting only to married couples.
The ensemble cast included Ashok Saraf , Laxmikant Berde , Supriya Pilgaonkar , Ashwini Bhave , and Viju Khote , among others.
Actor-filmmaker Sachin Pilgaonkar has shared a charming behind-the-scenes memory from his 1988 cult Marathi comedy 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' — one that left his own mother-in-law completely baffled. The anecdote surfaced during an appearance on the quiz show 'Kon Honar Crorepati', hosted by Madhuri Dixit, where Sachin and actor Madhurani Gokhale joined the host on the hot seat.
The Incident That Left His Mother-in-Law Stunned
During the conversation, Sachin recounted how his mother-in-law visited the set one day while he was fully dressed in a saree for his role in the film. When his wife Supriya went over to greet her, the older woman — unaware it was her son-in-law — pulled Supriya aside with a curious question.
'My mother-in-law called Supriya over and asked, 'Who was that woman standing next to you?' Then I bent down to touch her feet and asked, 'Didn't you recognise me, Mom?' She was startled,' Sachin recalled on the show.
The moment captures just how convincing Sachin's on-screen transformation was — a disguise so effective it fooled a family member at close range.
Why the Saree Look Became Iconic
Sachin's saree-clad appearance in 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' has since become one of the most memorable elements of the film. The comedy, directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar himself and produced by Kiran Shantaram, revolves around four friends struggling to secure rented accommodation in the city. When a landlady insists on renting only to married couples, two of the friends resort to cross-dressing as women — passing themselves off as their companions' wives — triggering a cascade of comic misunderstandings.
The premise, while rooted in classic situational comedy, was executed with a lightness of touch that resonated deeply with Marathi audiences and continues to do so decades later.
A Film That Defined an Era of Marathi Cinema
Released in 1988, 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' featured an ensemble cast that included Sachin Pilgaonkar, Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde, Siddharth Ray, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Ashwini Bhave, Nivedita Joshi-Saraf, Priya Arun Berde, Sudhir Joshi, and Viju Khote. The film's blend of sharp humour, quotable dialogues, and spirited comic performances cemented its place as a favourite in Marathi cinema's popular canon.
The film remains a benchmark of Marathi comedy, frequently cited whenever discussions of the genre's golden era arise.
'Kon Honar Crorepati' and the Madhuri Dixit Connection
The show 'Kon Honar Crorepati', hosted by Madhuri Dixit, provided the platform for Sachin to revisit these nostalgic moments. The Marathi adaptation of the iconic quiz format has drawn several prominent names from the Marathi entertainment world, with the episode featuring Sachin and Madhurani Gokhale set to air soon. The episode is expected to serve as a warm tribute to the enduring legacy of 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi'.
Point of View
But its real value lies in what it says about the craft behind 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' — a film that succeeded not just on script but on committed physical performance. Sachin Pilgaonkar playing director and lead actor simultaneously, and convincing even family members of his disguise, points to a production sensibility that Marathi cinema has rarely matched since. The film's continued cultural recall — surfacing on a primetime quiz show nearly four decades later — underscores how thin the pipeline of genuinely beloved Marathi mainstream comedies remains. The nostalgia is warm, but it also carries an implicit challenge for the current generation of Marathi filmmakers.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' about?
'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' is a 1988 Marathi comedy directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar about four friends who struggle to find rented accommodation. When a landlady agrees to rent only to married couples, two of the friends dress up as women and pretend to be their companions' wives, leading to a series of comic situations.
Why did Sachin Pilgaonkar dress in a saree in the film?
Sachin Pilgaonkar's character cross-dresses as a woman in 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' as part of the film's plot, where friends disguise themselves to satisfy a landlady's condition. The look became one of the most iconic and memorable elements of the movie.
Where did Sachin Pilgaonkar share this story about his mother-in-law?
Sachin shared the anecdote on the Marathi quiz show 'Kon Honar Crorepati', hosted by Madhuri Dixit. He appeared on the show alongside actor Madhurani Gokhale.
Who was in the cast of 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi'?
The film featured Sachin Pilgaonkar, Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde, Siddharth Ray, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Ashwini Bhave, Nivedita Joshi-Saraf, Priya Arun Berde, Sudhir Joshi, and Viju Khote.
Who produced and directed 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi'?
The film was directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar and produced by Kiran Shantaram. It was released in 1988 and went on to become one of the most celebrated comedies in Marathi cinema.
